Chloe Kim Olympic Qualifier
If Olympic gold medals were snowflakes, Chloe Kim would already have a blizzard. The reigning queen of the halfpipe and two-time Olympic champion is officially back in the spotlight after locking in her first step toward the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. And yes, she’s still soaring higher, flipping cleaner, and smiling brighter than just about anyone else in professional snowboarding.
The Comeback Tour Begins
After stepping away from competition following her gold medal performance in Beijing 2022a well-deserved mental health break and a chance to enjoy normal lifeKim returned to the slopes and promptly reminded everyone why she’s simply unmatched. The news broke from the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team last week that Kim has been named to the national team for the 2024–25 season, the first step on the path to Olympic qualification.
Her inclusion means she’s officially in the hunt for a ticket to Italy in 2026, where she’ll be looking to three-peatsomething that would elevate her from snowboarding superstar to global sports legend status.
The Olympic Pipeline: Not a Straight Line
For snow athletes like Kim and teammate Red Gerard, making the U.S. Olympic team is no bronze-medal-level accomplishment. The qualification process is a whirlwind of international contests, top-tier finishes, and political committee selections wrapped up in the kind of logistical chaos that would make most athletes sweat more than their runs down a slopestyle course.
For now, being named to the U.S. team ensures funding, support, and priority entry into the crucial World Cup events that serve as qualifiers. It also means that fans can breathe a little easier knowing they’ll likely see familiar stars flying the Stars and Stripes once again.
Why Now? Timing is Everything
Kim’s return might seem sudden to casual followers, but insiders know she’s been quietly brewing this comeback. In recent months, she’s been spotted back in the halfpipe, training at Mammoth Mountain, and reuniting with her signature style: explosive amplitude, technical rotations, and that unmistakable chill that makes her a fan favorite. With the Olympic cycle heating up, now is precisely when athletes lock inor risk being left behind.
U.S. Snowboard Head Coach Rick Bower doesn’t throw compliments loosely, but he’s already hinted that Kim looks in “top form,” suggesting she hasn’t missed a beat. That should be both thrilling and terrifyingdepending on whether you’re watching from the grandstands or sharing a start gate with her.
Red Gerard Also Re-Ups
Joining Kim on this early qualification list is Red Gerard, the 2018 Olympic gold medalist in slopestyle who’s also been selected for the U.S. team. Gerard, known for his loose, effortless approach and notoriously mellow vibe, is seeking redemption after a bittersweet showing in Beijing, where he narrowly missed the podium. If everything aligns, Milan-Cortina could play host to another chapter in what is already a storied career.
With Kim and Gerard leading the pack, along with veterans like Maddie Mastro and up-and-comers like Dusty Henricksen, the U.S. snowboard team looks stacked, primed, and ready to deliver another avalanche of Olympic moments.
The Bigger Picture
While this early-stage announcement doesn’t lock in Olympic selection just yet, it signals serious intent. Both Kim and Gerard are back in contention, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be an epic road to the 2026 Olympics. For Kim, it’s about legacy. For Gerard, it’s about closureand maybe even redemption. For fans, it’s a reason to start counting down the days until the Opening Ceremonies.
“I’m just excited to be back out there,” Kim told reporters recently. “Snowboarding is where I feel most like myself. I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me.”
Final Drop: Chloe Kim Eyes History
Only three athletes in Olympic history have won three straight golds in the same snowboarding event. Chloe Kim is eyeing the fourth. At just 24, with arguably the best halfpipe game the world has ever seen, she’s not just chasing historyshe’s carving her own path straight through it, one massive air at a time.
From Torino to PyeongChang, Beijing to Milan-Cortinathe journey continues. And if the early indicators are anything to go by, the crown isn’t going anywhere just yet.
